On August 14, 2025, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett sent a formal inquiry to the Royal Canadian Navy, expressing the city’s interest in acquiring the vessel

In naval tradition, the ship’s sponsor broke a bottle of L’Acadie Vineyards’ Prestige Brut sparkling wine against the bow of the ship.

These deployments underscore the RCN’s commitment to detecting, deterring, and defending against potential threats in the Arctic,

These initiatives will be rolled out over the next 12 months.

These Class-2 UAS, a first for the RCN, are expected to achieve initial operational capability by 2027, with full operational capability anticipated by 2032.

While the South Korean proposal is compelling, it faces competition from European shipbuilders, and the Canadian government has yet to issue a formal request for proposals.

The Kingston-class vessels, launched between 1995 and 1999, have been a cornerstone of the RCN’s coastal defense capabilities.

Following the the sea trials, Robert Hampton Gray will have an official naming ceremony.

Conducting this rearmament so far from home, with the invaluable support of our Australian partners, is a testament to the strong relationship and interoperability between our militaries.

The RCN must be prepared to operate effectively aboard the future River-class Destroyer.